Spark-plug-testing device



July 16, 1929. E, R. WIK; 1,720,983

SPARK PLUG TESTING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1927 I? l Inventor @@mmzm ttomg' raient-ea July 16,1929,

U-NiTED STATES ERNEST E. WIRE, or DETROIT,

MICHTGAN. l'

srAEKrLUG-TESTING DEVICE.

Application ined :um-14, 1927. seriai No. iafm'v'f.'v

This invention relates to 'new and useful improvements in testing devices for spark plugs on internal combustion engines and aims to provide a highly novel, simple and inexpensive means whereby the operator of the machinc'can readily determine ata glance,

just which'.particular plug of the engine is inactive with necessaryrepairs may be made to the plug or to the wires leading thereto Without necessity of testing each individual plug which usually requires the removal of the same from the engine. i' i Further, the invention consistsof a highly ornamental structure that may be readily attached to the instrument board of the motorv vehicle. y

In the drawings v Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved spark plug testing device.

Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal section taken Fig. 3 is a detail transverse section taken substantially from the line 34-3 of the same figure. I

Now having particular reference to the drawings, my noveltesting device consists of an oval-shaped plate 5 of porcelain, fiber, or other non-conducting material, the space thereof beingformed intermediate its ends with a longitudinally extending channel 6. At opposite sides of this channel 6, said plate is formed with spaced circular sockets 7 within each of which is arranged a bushing 8, the lower end thereof being provided with a transverse opening'9 for registry with an opening 10 in the block that extends from the outer side thereof to the channel 6 as clearly indicated at Fig. 3.

A dapted for arrangement fthrough the registering openings in each bushing and said plate 5, is a relatively elongated current conducting pin 11 adjustably secured within the plate and bushing byfa set screw-12 threaded Within a threaded socket in the bushing. above the opening 9 therein. By reason of this eonducting means for the current conductingpin it will thus be seen that by reason of this particular connecting means for each conducting pin, the pins at opposite sides of the channel 6 may be moved towards or away from each other, to regulate the space between complementary pins .-at opposite sides of said channel. i 1

The conducting pins 11 at one side of the the obvious result, that the4 'plate 5 of the tester bushings, and a set channel 6 of the plate 5 are unitarilyground ed to the frame of the car as indicated in Fig 1, the conducting pins at opposite side of said channel being adapted to be selective-- 1y electrically connected with the respective spark plugs of the automobile engine, as suggested in Fig. 1;

At this point it may be well testate that at all times the respect-ive conducting pins 11,0f cach spark plug are'spaced apart a distance greater than the points of their spark plugs,

with the obvious result that when the plugs are operating properly, the current will jump j the point of the plug'whereas should the plugs cease .to operate on account of becoming fouled, the circuit will be jumped through their respective points 9 ofthe testing de# vice indicating that that particular spark plug is not firing. y

In actual practice, it is preferable that the be larranged Within a similar shaped opening in the instrument board of the vehicle as suggested by the dotted line in Fig. 2, said plate 5 at its face being hanged as at 13 for engagement over the edge of the opening in the instrument board.

Furthermore a glass panel `14L is. set within the face of the plate 5 and maintained therein by a retaining framel which frame-and flange 13 are formed with suitable openings to permit the entire unit to be rigidly secured within the opening of the instrument board.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In a spark plug tester of the character described, a panel of insulating material having a channel in its front face, of spaced sockets at its back faceand at opposite sides of the channel, bushings arranged Within said sockets and having openings at their lower ends communicating with openings in the panel, conductor pins arranged through the openings in the anel and said screw threaded longitudinally within each bushing and adapted to bite the conductor pin for adj ustably securing the pins within the bushings so that respective and a plurality pins at opposite sides of the channel may be spaced apart a predetermined degree and means whereby one set of bushings may be connected to the spark plug and the opposite l set connected to a common ground.`

In testimony whereof I aiiirmy'signature.

ERNEST R. WIKE. 

